79 books. I'd like to thank these 79 titles for being a lovely, indulgent, blood-pressure lowering part of 2022. Reading has always been a hobby I've loved, but I've really re-found my groove in the last three years. I read a few chapters (ok, or twenty) every night before I fall asleep. Reason 603 I love crawling into bed at night.

Reading others' recommendations is so helpful! Places like goodreads has made this exceptionally easy. I enjoy scrolling and seeing what you are reading, and many of my favorite reads have come from there. If you're on goodreads, come friend me here! 

Tis the season for everyone to be asking for 2023 reading recommendations, so I sifted through my list for my top favorites this year. In no particular order, here they are! I'm linking the goodreads page for each one instead of an amazon link... so many of these can be found at your local library so don't forget to check there!

• Last Bookshop in London: delightful historical fiction novel set in WWII - I loved the gumption and development in the characters here
   
• My Dear Hamilton: another historical fiction, and very outside my typical reads. We loved the Hamilton musical, so reading this biography from Hamilton's wife's POV was really intriguing! It's a good long cozy winter read - no so much a vaca or beach read.
   
• Bradford Sisters Series by Becky Wade: light and fun! I found Becky Wade via my sister in law's rec this year, and this series was my favorite. The female characters are easy to love. This won't be the literary award winner you read this year, but definitely a great vacation read.
   
• Susan May Warren: Y'all. I went on a serious Susan May Warren bender this year. It's a little embarassing how much her titles take up my book list, but I enjoyed them so thoroughly that I'm actually not embarrassed at all. They are Christian fiction with some romance for sure, but have substance and plot to them. Her various series are interconnected which makes it even more fun! My favorites are the Christiansen Family series, Montana Rescue, and Sky King Ranch.
   
• Funny Feelings by Tarah Dewitt: this was just different and funny! A little more spice so FYI on that aspect. I hadn't read anything by this author before, so it was a new enjoyable find.
   
• The Masterpiece by Francine Rivers: whoops, had a slight Francine Rivers bender this year too. This title was definitely my favorite!
   
• Book Lovers: Emily Henry is always good for a beach read, and this didn't disappoint! I loved the back and forth between the two main characters! 

Honorable mentions also go to a few popular books you've likely seen on 2022 Book Lists: The Maid, It Ends With Us, and The Hotel Nantucket by my ever adored Elin Hilderbrand.

One book I didn’t like? The Push. It was a little too dark and twisted for me, BUT very well written if you can do books like that!

Lastly, I'm currently ending the year reading Carrie Soto is Back (love love love Taylor Jenkins Reid) and Swimmers.

Happy reading, friends!
 

“Show me a family of readers, and I will show you the people who move the world.”

-Napoléon Bonaparte